Mickey Gasper has been one of the hottest hitters on the planet over the last two weeks.
The Boston Red Sox fell to the Seattle Mariners 9-6 on Tuesday night at Fenway Park, setting up a rubber match in Wednesday's series finale. Despite the loss, Red Sox utility man Mickey Gasper continued his torrid stretch, joining a pair of Red Sox legends in the process.
With Seattle leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning of the win, Gasper stepped to the plate with one out against Seattle starter Bryan Woo, launching the first pitch he saw, a 98 mph fastball at the top of the zone, 404 feet over the bullpens and into the right field bleachers.
Sep 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mickey Gasper (30) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesIt has been a truly ridiculous run for the 30-year-old Gasper since being recalled by Boston on Aug. 16 to replace the injured Masataka Yoshida. In 13 games, Gasper is hitting .394/.545/1.121/1.666 with seven home runs, becoming the sixth Red Sox player in history to record seven or more home runs and a 1.650 or higher OPS in any 13-game stretch, joining J.D. Drew (2008), Fred Lynn (1979), Lou Clinton (1962), Ted Williams (1957) and Jimmie Foxx (1939).
However, prior to continuing his incredible run on Tuesday night, Gasper, as noted by the NESN broadcast, became just the third player in franchise history to hit six home runs, work 10 walks and two or fewer strikeouts in a 12-game span, joining Foxx, who accomplished the feat in 1938, and Williams, who did so an astonishing 29 times during his 19-year major league career.
Foxx and Williams are just the latest Hall of Fame company that Gasper has joined over the last month. Gasper's OPS of 1.671 in the month of August is the fifth-highest OPS of any batter with at least 30 plate appearances in a calendar month in Major League Baseball since 1898, trailing only Barry Bonds (Aug. 2003 and April 2004), Carlos Pena (Aug. 2005) and Williams (Sept. 1957).
Aug 25, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Mickey Gasper (30) gets the Wally mascot headwear from Jarren Duran (16) after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesGasper again joined Williams' in the pantheon of Boston baseball history, posting an OPS of 2.208 from Aug. 18 to Aug. 25, which is the second-highest OPS for a Red Sox hitter in a seven-game stretch, trailing only the Hall of Famer.
It's been a long journey to major league success for Gasper, who has spent parts of three seasons with both the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Gasper was promoted to Boston for his major league debut in August 2024, going hitless in 23 plate appearances before being flipped to Minnesota for left-handed reliever Jovani Moran. In 45 games for the Twins, Gasper struggled to a line of .158/.257/.232/.488 before being designated for assignment in the offseason, signing a minor league deal to return to Boston.
Now, the New Hampshire native is back with his hometown team and contributing to winning in a major way, hitting .279/.378/.500/.878 in 47 games on the season.
Up next for the Sox
Boston will go for the series win in Wednesday afternoon's rubber match against Seattle. Patrick Sandoval (1-3, 4.20 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox opposite Bryce Miller (4-8, 4.12 ERA) for the Mariners. First pitch from Fenway Park is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.
